Automobile trailer hitch



July 28, 1931. MCLAMARRAH 1,816,121 AUTOMOBILE {TRAILER HITCH Filed Aug.29, 1930 A J @440 A TTORNEYS.

Patented July 1931 PATENT orrlca IBGBEBI. 3. MBLAMABRAEJOF WOONSOCKET,SOUTH DAKOTA aurouonrnn TRAILER. nrrcn Application filed August 29,1980. Serial No. 478,741.

This invention relates to an automobile trailer hitch. An object of myinvention is the provision of simple and efiicient means for attach- {5ing a trailer to an automobile, whereby the jerk or jar is taken off theautomobile in conveying the trailer synchronously with the same.

Another object of my invention is the n construction of a trailer hitchwhich can be easily applied to difi'erentautomobiles and whereby atrailer can be readily attached to an automobile or vehicle having mydevice attached thereto. i

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a noveland eficient casing, and mounting the spring carrying bolts in thecasing in a novel and efficient manner, all constituting essential unitsof my device. m With the foregoing and other objects in view, myinvention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations andarrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompan ing 26 drawings, and more particularlypointe out in the ap ended 01311118."

In the rawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructedin accordance with the present 30 inrl'zentitin. f a 1 igure 2 is a raentar to an view of my device, showl zd g part of Eh? cover of thecasing in section and artly broken away.

Figure 3 is a sectiona view taken on line- 3-3, Figure 2, and looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-1-4, Figure 2, and lookingin the directon of the arrows.

Fig-Eire 5 is a seritional viewtakenon line 5-5, igure 1, and looking inthe direction of the arrows. a

Referring to the drawings by numerals 1, 1

structure, to-which my secured. The device comprises a primary,horizontal bar '2, which is provided near its end"- with horizontallongitudinally-aligned apertures 3. Vertical mam bars 4 are at the 50ends of primary bar 2 and bolts 5 secure these ping at 12 t e frontfaceof primary bar 2.

hinged caps 18.

designates a pair of bumpers of any commonv evice is adjustably bars 4at any of the apertures 3, to accommodate bumpers 1; in someautomobiles, the bumpers 1 are closer together than in others, so that Ihave provided means for adjustably securing the device to differenttypes of 55 bumpers. In the present instance, the bars 4 are placedbehind the bumpers with a secondary vertical bar 6 in front of eachbumper. A bolt 7 extends through the contiguous bars 4 and 6, securingthe same to ether. A suitable brace 8 is at each end bar 2, with itsinner end fastened at 9 and its outer end on bolt 7 (Fig.

The casin 10 comprises body 11 overlap- A cover 13 is placed upon body11 with a depending front flange 14 overlapping the front portion 12 ofbody 11 (Figs. 1 and 3). The cover 13 has a flange 15 formed on itsouter edge (Fig. 3). Vertical bolts 16 pass through the cover 13 andthrough the body 11 (Fi 3) securely fastening the cover 11 on the body'-The cover is 'rovided with lu ricating apertures 17. ig. 3) covered by Acentral sliding bolt 19 extends throu h bar 2 and through openings 20formed in t e overlapping portions 12 and 14 of the'body 11 and cover13, respectively. On the inside of the body 11 is coil spring 21,mounted on bolt 19 and bearing against bar 22, which bar is held on thebolt by nut 23. Mounted on bolt 19, outside of the casin is coil s ring24. Bolt 19 has an aperture head 25, y means of which the trailer tongue26 is attached to the device. Bolt 19 also has a cotter pin 27 extendingthrough its inner end to positively lock nut 23' thereon. I employ apair of stationary bolts 28. Each bolt 28 has a head 29 against whichbar 22 bears, as said bar is mounted on bolt28. Each bolt 28 is threadedthrough primar bar'2 and the overlapping portions 12 an 14 of thecasing. A split washer 30 is mounted on each bolt 28 a amst the frontflange 14 and nut 31 is three ed on the outer end of the bolt, againstsaid washer 30, the washer serving to lock the nut on the bolt againstaccidental dis lacement. It will, therefore, be seen that the olts 28are anchored upon bar 2 and portions of casing 10. 1 0

On these bolts 28 are coil springs 32 against which bar 22 bears, sothat when the sliding bolt 19 is drawn outwardly, sprin 32 will bedepressed, acting as bumpers to a sorb the shock or strain, therebypreventing jarring of the automobile to which the trailer is attached.Of course, spring 21 also assists springs 32. Further spring 24 preventstoo sudden return of bolt 19 to its innermost position within the.casing lO. This s ring 24 acts as an equalizer and prevents t e partsfrom rattling or causing any undue noise.

It will be seen that I built up a casing around the primary bar 2 andhave secured the casing to the bar by the bolts of the device.

lThe trailer tongue 26 is provided with a bifurcated coupler 33 whichhas registering apertures 34. These apertures 34 register with theaperture in head and a suitable pin (not shown) can be placed in theseregistering apertures for securing the parts tov gether.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention andillustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changesor alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I,therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations asshall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a primar bar,a casing havmg aportion of its bo y overlappin said primary bar, a coveron said casing an havmg a portlon overlapping that portion of the bodyoverlapping the primary bar, and a sprmg carrying slidin bolt mountedupon said primary bar an partly within said casin and adapted tohave atrailer tongue attac ed thereto. 1

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rimary bar,a casing having said primary ar extending through the same, a cover onsaid casing and having a front fiangeextendmg down over said primarybar, said primary bar provided with an aperture within said casing,'saidcasing and cover provlded wlth bolt-receiving o enings registering withsaid aperture of t e .pr1-- mary bar, and a s ring ressed trailerattachmg boltexten g t rough said aperture and said opening;

3. In a device oft e class described,-the

' of said casm combination of a casing, a fprimary bar exs 0 said casingand tending through the en pos1t1oned against the front of the casing,

'tween said stationa upon said stationary bolts,

against said split washer, a sliding bolt bebolts and having its outerend extending yond one side of said casing, a spring onsaid sliding boltoutside of said casing, springs on all of said bolts within said casing,and a common bar mounted on all of said bolts within the casing, and inengagement with said springs whereby when said sliding bolt is moveoutwardly, the baron the bolts will slide substantially as shown anddescribed.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, abar eixtendin therethrough, stationary bolts screwe through said bar andeasing, springs on sai bolts, an attaching sliding bolt mounted uponsaid casing and bar, said sliding bolt provided with a sprin and acommon bar mounted on all of said bolts and engaging said springs andadapted to slide upon sa' stationary bolts when outward movement is imarted to said attaching sliding bolt.

5. n a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, acover having a front flange extendin a considerable distance down oneside 0 said casing, said side of the casing and said front flangeconstituting overla ping portions, a primary bar ertending st rough saidcasing against said overlapping portions stationary bolts screwedthrough said primary ar and through said overlapping portions forsecuring the same together, a central sliding bolt in said casing andextending through said primary bar and through openings in saidoverlapping portions, springs on all of said bolts, and a common bar onall of sa1d bolts and engaged by said springs and spaced 2.

stationary bolts threaded through said pr1-- mary bar and throughportions of the side spht washers on the outer ends of said boltsagainst the side of said casmg, nuts on the outer ends of said bolts and

